SCHOLASTIC ART GOLD WINNERS’ WORKS TO BE DISPLAYED AT CHEEKWOOD FEBRUARY 1 THROUGH MARCH 3

NASHVILLE, TN – 92 Middle Tennessee art students took home Gold Key awards, 115 Silver Key awards and 263 Honorable Mentions in the most recent Scholastic Art Awards competition, with the Gold Key winning pieces on display in Cheekwood’s Museum of Art February 1 through March 3.

Five students, Micah Atkinson, a Homeschooler, Claire Frankenfield of Harpeth Hall School, Caroline Harwood of Harpeth Hall School, Charlotte LaCroix of Independence High School, and Emily Martin of Harpeth Hall School each received an American Vision Award nomination. One of the five will be chosen as a national finalist in the American Vision Award competition to be held in New York.

Artworks by Middle Tennessee’s Gold Key award-winners will go on to be judged by the national panel in New York. An awards celebration will be held in June with the winning artists’ works to be displayed in The National Student Art Exhibition in New York City.

Students from 38 Middle Tennessee schools submitted 1,338 entries in the regional competition which was judged at Cheekwood. For the second year, all student art was submitted digitally. The judges include local artists and art educators, Jerry Atnip, Chris Cheney, Melodie Grace, Kathryn Gonzalez, Ryan Hogan, JC Johnson, Kelly Kessler, Carrie Lancaster, Marilyn Murphy, W. Paul Proctor, Katie Ries, and Cliff Tierney. The Scholastic Art Awards are the oldest continuously run art competition in the nation. Past winners include noted artists such as Red Grooms and Andy Warhol. The regional portion is sponsored by The Tennessee Credit Union and Cheekwood.

A reception for the Gold and Silver Key winners will be held in Massey Auditorium at Cheekwood on Saturday, February 2 (snow date is Feb. 9). The Awards Ceremony will be held for Group I (Grades 7-8) is at 1:30 pm and Group II (Grades 9-12) begins at 2:30 pm. Mayor Dean will be attending and addressing the groups.

About Cheekwood
Cheekwood is a 55-acre botanical garden and art museum located on the historic Cheek estate. Cheekwood’s mission is to preserve Cheekwood as an historical landmark where beauty and excellence in art and horticulture stimulate the mind and nurture the spirit. Cheekwood is located at 1200 Forrest Park Drive in Nashville, 8 miles southwest of downtown Nashville. Open Tuesday through Saturday 9:30 a.m. – 4:30 p.m.; Sunday 11:00 a.m. – 4:30 p.m. Admission is $12 for adults, seniors $10 and children 3-17 are $5. Parking is $3 per car. Admission during Bruce Munro Nights will be $15 for adults, $12 for seniors, $8 for children 3-17 and $5 for Cheekwood members. For further information call 615-356-8000 or visit www.cheekwood.org.